Scott Walker signs collective bargaining bill into law - layoffs recinded

Journal Sentinel: Madison — Gov. Scott Walker signed his bill Friday repealing most collective bargaining by public employee unions, dealing a blow to the labor movement that turned out massive demonstrations in an effort to kill the proposal.

The Republican governor signed the budget-repair bill privately in the morning and will hold a news conference later in the day to tout the signing and talk about the tumultuous past few weeks. Also Friday, Walker directed the Office of State Employment Relations to rescind layoff notices because the Legislature had passed the bill.

In a statement, Walker said jobs were saved by passing the bill, which solves part but not all of a budget shortfall.

"The Legislature helped us save 1,500 middle-class jobs by moving forward this week with the budget repair," his statement said. "The state will now be able to realize $30 million in savings to balance the budget and allow 1,500 state employees to keep their jobs. The reforms contained in this legislation, which require modest health care and pension contributions from all public employees, will help put Wisconsin on a path to fiscal sustainability." [MORE]

Now that the collective bargaining parts of Walker's budget repair bill has passed, the question becomes what will the Democrats do about the fiscal parts of the bill. I imagine they are going to try to play retribution to gum up the works. That is just the way they roll.

With this victory under his belt, Scott Walker become the new tough guy in the Republican Party. As for Chris Christie I think this old Janet Jackson tune applies:

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Journal Sentinel

Vacation from reality: WI's AWOL Dem's request for a Border Summit

The Fleebaggers while vacationing from the job responsibilities in Illinois also seem to be "vacationing from reality". They have requested a meeting with Governor Scott Walker on the Illinois-Wisconsin border.

CNN: (CNN) -- Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Monday dismissed as "ridiculous" a letter from a Democratic state Senate leader who suggested a meeting "near the Wisconsin-Illinois border" to discuss the state's budget impasse.

Sen. Mark Miller sent the letter to Walker on Monday, offering a border summit as a way to resume stalled negotiations on the state's budget.

This is unreal. The Democrats flee the state to hold the democratic process hostage, then when public opinion starts to move their way they want to negotiate. Gangster government anyone?

Senate Republicans should have pulled the trigger on the nuke option, day one. This would have sent a clear message to the Fleebaggers that hijacking democracy is not an option.

Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal suggested that the Fleebaggers may return soon. From this letter from the Republican Senate Majority leader, it looks like the mixed messages from the Fleebaggers might suggest they are starting to go in different directions.

National Review: 

March 7, 2011
Sen. Mark Miller
Parts Unknown, IL

Dear Senator Miller,

Thank you for your hand-delivered letter with an offer to meet, in Illinois, about the business and future direction of Wisconsin.

Let’s set aside how bizarre that is for a moment.

As you know, this legislation is designed to finally balance the state budget, prevent layoffs and create jobs in the real world. There are hundreds of thousands of unemployed or underemployed Wisconsinites, and at least 1,500 more whose jobs are in the balance because of your media stunt. We all deserve better than this.

In the meantime, members of your caucus have been meeting with the governor’s staff, talking to the media, trying to find a way back to Madison, and contradicting your message in public. In case you don’t remember, you were present yourself at one of those meetings with the governor’s staff. Your grasp of reality, and control of your caucus as minority leader, continues to amaze me.

As you know, your opportunity to compromise and amend the bill was on the floor of the state Senate. As you know, you forfeited that right and opportunity when you decided to flee the state instead of doing your job.

Your stubbornness in trying to ignore the last election and protect the broken status quo is truly shameful. While we wait for you and your colleagues to finally show up, Senate Republicans continue to stand ready to do the job we were elected to do, here in Wisconsin. I hope you are enjoying your vacation, and your vacation from reality.

Sincerely,
Scott Fitzgerald
Senate Majority Leader
CC: Governor Scott Walker

Time will tell.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: CNN
Via: National Review

Fleebaggers to return to state soon

Wisconsin's 14 AWOL Democrats are looking to return to the state now that public opinion has shifted against Walker and the Republicans. The Fleebaggers point to all the recent polls that shows people are opposed to curtailing union's collective bargaining rights. In effect the Fleebaggers feel that Republicans might now be scared off from supporting Walker's budget repair bill.

Wall Street Journal: Playing a game of political chicken, Democratic senators who fled Wisconsin to stymie restrictions on public-employee unions said Sunday they planned to come back from exile soon, betting that even though their return will allow the bill to pass, the curbs are so unpopular they'll taint the state's Republican governor and legislators. [...]

Sen. Mark Miller said he and his fellow Democrats intend to let the full Senate vote on Gov. Scott Walker's "budget-repair" bill, which includes the proposed limits on public unions' collective-bargaining rights. The bill, which had been blocked because the missing Democrats were needed for the Senate to have enough members present to vote on the bill, is expected to pass the Republican-controlled chamber.

He said he thinks recent polls showing voter discontent with Mr. Walker over limits on bargaining rights have been "disastrous" for the governor and Republicans and give Democrats more leverage to seek changes in a broader two-year budget bill Mr. Walker proposed Tuesday.

Senator Miller may have a point. If Republicans go by the polls out today, they may very well have reason to fear a backlash. However, as the old saying goes, a day in politics is like a lifetime. The budget repair bill is coming so early in both Walker's and the legislature's term, it is hard to tell if these numbers will stick over time, especially if the reforms produce positive results. Here is to hoping the the Senate Republicans are thinking more long term rather than short term.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: The Wall Street Journal
Via: WPRI

Rasmussen: Support for budget cutting, not for weakening collective bargaining

Rasmussen: Most Wisconsin voters oppose efforts to weaken collective bargaining rights for union workers but a plurality are supportive of significant pay cuts for state workers. Governor Scott Walker is struggling in the court of public opinion, but how badly he is struggling depends upon how the issue is presented. There is also an interesting gap between the views of private and public sector union families.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Wisconsin voters shows that just 39% favor weakening collective bargaining rights and 52% are opposed. At the same time, 44% support a 10% pay cut for all state workers. Thirty-eight percent (38%) are opposed. That’s partly because 27% of Wisconsin voters believe state workers are paid too much and 16% believe they are paid too little. Forty-nine percent (49%) believe the pay of state workers is about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

This is now the third poll (NYT and WSJ) that has shown majority support for keeping collective bargaining rights. It is also the third poll that shows that the support slips when you when you show how collective bargaining effects state's budgets.

I think two things are working against Walker. First is clearly messaging. Walker has not done a really good job of explain just how collective bargaining affects things other than employee salary and pension. For example how teacher unions use collective bargaining to impede much needed reform.

The second thing working against Walker is the dragging out of the process. Once the Fleebaggers fled, senate Republicans should have immediately begun cranking up the pressure. As the drama in Wisconsin draws out longer and longer, I expect Walker support for Walker to wain more. Wisconsin should take a cue from Ohio. Over there they are moving very quickly for even stricter reforms.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: Rasmussen Reports
Via: New York Times
Via: Wall Street Journal
Via: Cleveland.com

Scott Walker gives Fleebaggers 24 hours to return

Wisconsin governor Scott Walker has given the AWOL Democrats (Fleebaggers) 24 hours to get back to Wisconsin, so they can vote on his proposal or risk missing a debt restructuring deadline.


Call me a pessimist but I just don't see the Fleebaggers coming home for that.  Keep in mind that these Democrats are very beholden to the unions. One fifth of the campaign contributions the Fleebaggers receive comes from unions. So, if unions are willing to accept give backs and layoffs instead of touching collective bargaining, then I cannot see how a missed deadline will motivate these Fleebaggers.


If Public Policy Polling is correct, this long and drawn out standoff is taking a toll on Walker. I am sure the Fleebaggers are reading this poll as well and will be further motivated to stay away. 


Walker should have given this ultimatum on the first day the Fleebaggers fled and then pass the collective bargaining parts of the bill separately without the need for quorum.  Once the collective bargaining parts were passed there would be little reason for the Fleebaggers to stay away.


We will have to see how this all plays out, but I see don't see the Fleebaggers coming home.  


Via: Memeorandum
Via: Reuters
Via: Journal Sentinel
Via: Public Policy Polling

In The Land of Make Believe or How to Get Big Hits to Your Blog

You all know that Clifton B loves watching the traffic at Another Black Conservative soar.  I watch my Sitemeter like a hawk.


Since I was forced to take some time off from my blogging, my site stats have been less than stellar and forget about getting on Memeorandum.  In the words of Sam from The Last Tradition: Memeorandum is treating me like an ugly stepchild. 


However, there is a way to get my totals sky high again. Simply make up a story that liberals will love.  One blogger did exactly that and is now rocking the top thread on Memeorandum.


This blogger concocted a story that Scott Walker was asked to leave a restaurant in Madison, WI.  The lefties ate it up like it was Manna from Heaven!  Unfortunately, a blogger decided to dig a little deeper and the story is looking like a complete hoax.  


Even though the story is false, this lefty blogger is still pulling in the traffic on Memeorandum.  Like Troglopundit, I want my own thread on Memeorandum too. So here goes my false story of the day: Sarah Palin and Scott Walker have a secret love child, and here is the picture to prove it.

Now give me the hits damn it!


Via: Memeorandum
Via: Mind Spring
Via: Fire Dog Lake
Via: Bagger Blogger
Via: Troglopundit

UPDATED: Scott Walker's budget repair bill passes Assembly 51-17

Journal Sentinel: Madison - After a bitter, 61-hour debate that was the longest in living memory, the sleep-starved state Assembly voted in just seconds early Friday to approve a watershed proposal repealing most union bargaining rights held by public workers.

Just after 1 a.m., Republicans cut off debate on Gov. Scott Walker's bill and in pell-mell fashion the body voted 51-17 to pass it. In the confusion, nearly one-third of the body - 28 lawmakers including 25 Democrats, two Republicans and the body's lone independent - did not vote on the bill at all.

All Democrats voted against the proposal along with four Republicans - Dean Kaufert of Neenah, Lee Nerison of Westby, Richard Spanbauer of Oshkosh, and Travis Tranel of Cuba City.

Democrats erupted after the vote, throwing papers and what appeared to be a drink in the air. They denounced the move to cut off debate, questioning for the second time in the night whether the proper procedure had been followed.

"Shame! Shame! Shame!" Democrats shouted in the faces of Republicans as the GOP lawmakers quietly filed off the floor and a police officer stood between opposing lawmakers.

"Cowards all! You're all cowards," yelled Rep. Brett Hulsey (D-Madison) as another Democrat tried to calm him down. [MORE]

Despite using every official trick in the book, the Democrats in Wisconsin's Assembly could not stop the inevitable.  This is why the Fleebaggers fled.  Had the Senate gone first like normal, the Assembly would have pass the bill in little time.  Too little time to create the media circus we have seen unfold.

Now the pressure is on the Senate to for at least one Fleebagger to return.  Given the high level of voters who disapprove of the Fleebaggers actions, it appears the Fleebaggers would get the blame for job losses should Walker's bill not pass.  Stay tuned.


UPDATE: Video added


Here is the video of Assembly Democrats' reaction to the budget repair bill's passage. (h/t: Gateway Pundit)

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Journal Sentinel 

Rasmussen: 67% disapprove of Wisconsin's Fleebaggers

Rasmussen latest polls deals with the standoff in Wisconsin.  The poll finds that while voters are split over public sector unions and Scott Walker, they clearly dislike the Fleebagger tactic.

Rasmussen: Half of America’s voters favor public sector unions for government workers, but they strongly oppose the tactic by Wisconsin state senators to flee their state to prevent a vote that would limit the rights of such unions.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that only 25% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of this tactic, while 67% disapprove. State legislators in Indiana have used the same approach to avoid a vote in their state. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Sizable majorities of Republicans and voters not affiliated with either major party reject such a strategy. Democrats are fairly evenly divided, with 48% approving and 44% disapproving.

Voters are split on support of unions:

Voters continue to be closely divided over the question of public employee unions themselves. Fifty percent (50%) at least somewhat favor such unions, while 44% oppose them. These figures include 25% who Strongly Favor the unions and 25% who are Strongly Opposed.

Support for Scott Walker is also on the edge:

Forty-seven percent (47%) of voters nationwide now support Walker, virtually unchanged from earlier this week. Forty-two percent (42%) support the unions for teachers and other state employees in the standoff, up from 38% in the previous survey. Eleven percent (11%) remain undecided.

Seventy-five percent (75%) of Republicans and 53% of voters not affiliated with either of the major political parties agree with the governor. Seventy-nine percent (79%) of Democrats side with the union workers.

I think if the standoff in Wisconsin goes wrong, these numbers will move one way or the other depending on who looks like the bad guy. If Walker allows this to drag out very long he may come up the loser. On the other hand, if unions continue to escalate their aggression, they could end up the losers.

The clear losers are the Fleebaggers.  I wish Rasmussen would have asked folks why they disapprove.  Is it because it looks like they are sore losers or is it because they are shirking their responsibilities.  I would love to know.

Click over to Rasmussen to see the rest of the results, they are quite interesting.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Rasmussen

Scott Walker gets phone pranked

This story is all the rage on Memeorandum today.  There appears to be a little something for everyone.  For the right, Scott Walker doesn't end up talking out the other side of his mouth.  He says exactly what he was saying in public regarding the bill.  Despite the fake Koch brother saying outrageous things, Walker doesn't add to the folly.


For the left, there is the outrage that he took a call from a conservative money man (how this differs from Dick Trumpka's daily talks with the White House, I don't know) in the first place and of course they see conspiracy in every word.


Listen to the tapes for yourself. Let me know what you think.


Via: Memeoandum
Via: Michelle Malkin
Video h/t: The Blaze

Scott Walker won't be bullied

Another Chris Christie in the making?

The Hill: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) says his party has been emboldened by massive protests against his controversial budget plan.

Walker said demonstrators who filled the state capitol building in Madison and the boycott by state Senate Democrats — some of whom fled the state in protest — have steeled the resolve of members of his party.

"If anything, I think it's made the Republicans in the Assembly and the Senate stronger," he told Fox News's Greta Van Susteren in an interview Thursday night. "They're not going to be bullied. They're not going to be intimidated."

Walker also fired back at President Obama, who sided with the public employees, saying on Fox News Friday, "We are focused on balancing our budget. It would be wise for the government and others in Washington to focus on balancing their budgets, which they are a long way off from doing." [MORE]

It looks like Chris Christie isn't the only Republican who isn't afraid to do the "Big Things".  If Walker is successful, he would have eclipsed Christie's record in dealing with the public sector. 

Walker makes an excellent point.  It is rather absurd that Obama and the Democrats are weighing in on Wisconsin's financial situation, when they are incapable of getting the national budget in order. 

Via: Memeorandum

Via: The Hill

The Wisconsin Showdown - Some thoughts

Wisconsin has now become ground zero in the battle of state budget shortfalls. Should Governor Scott Walker be successful, other states in even more desperate situations will follow suit.  Walker may even become the new Chris Christie for Republicans.


For Democrats and unions, this is an uphill battle against reality.  They are up against two stone walls. First, there simply isn't enough money. Second, the public has grown  very resentful for having to pay for lavish benefits and pension while they struggle mightily in this economy.  Unions know that if this battle is lost in Wisconsin it will likely be lost nationwide.  Democrats have no choice but to back the unions or risk watching one of the biggest supports lose strength nationwide.


I do feel some pity for the rank and file union worker.  Because of greedy union leaders and short sighted weak politicians, these folks were sold an impossible promise.  A promise that they built their futures on.  Now that the jig is up, they are going to be forced to deal with reality at a very difficult time in the economy.  On some level though, they all should have known it was too good to last forever.  It is no secret that they were getting much more than the very people who pay their salaries and that is a situation that sooner or later need to be corrected.